Air fryer donuts offer a delightful twist on a classic treat, providing a healthier alternative without sacrificing flavor. This guide will cover all the ingredients you'll need to make delicious donuts and provide a step-by-step recipe to ensure your donuts come out perfect every time. Additionally, you'll discover easy variations to personalize your donuts with different flavors and toppings. Read on!
Why Choose to Make Donuts in an Air Fryer?
Choosing to make donuts in an air fryer is a healthier alternative to traditional deep-frying. Air fryers use significantly less oil, which reduces the overall fat content of the donuts, making them lighter and less greasy. This method not only cuts down on calories but also helps maintain the flavor and texture that donut lovers crave. By using hot air to cook, air fryers create a crisp outer layer while keeping the inside soft and fluffy, closely mimicking the delightful texture of a traditionally fried donut.
Moreover, making donuts in an air fryer is a quicker and cleaner process compared to deep-frying. There's no need to handle large amounts of hot oil, which simplifies the cooking process and makes cleanup easier. This makes it an ideal choice for anyone looking to enjoy fresh, homemade donuts with minimal fuss. One standout option for this healthier and cleaner cooking method is the Schwua Air Fryer Oven. It's designed to be dishwasher safe, simplifying the cleanup process even further. You can easily detach the components and place them in the dishwasher, allowing you more time to enjoy your tasty creations without worrying about the mess.
Ingredients for Air Fryer Donuts
To make delicious homemade donuts in air fryer, you'll need a few basic ingredients, which can be found in most kitchens. The primary ingredients include:
- Flour: All-purpose flour works best for a light, fluffy texture.
- Yeast: Active dry yeast or instant yeast to help the dough rise.
- Milk: Whole milk is preferred for a richer taste, but you can use any milk.
- Egg: Adds richness and helps bind the dough.
- 1/4 cup of melted butter: Used for brushing the donuts before air frying, ensuring a golden-brown finish.
- 1/2 cup of granulated sugar: For coating the donuts after frying, giving them a sweet and crunchy exterior.
- 1 tablespoon of ground cinnamon:Mixed with the sugar for a classic cinnamon-sugar coating.
- Optional toppings: Chocolate glaze, sprinkles, or powdered sugar can be used to customize the donuts to your taste.
Step-by-Step Air Fryer Donut Recipe
Here are step-by-step instructions to create light and fluffy donuts that are perfectly golden and coated in sweet, cinnamon-sugar goodness.
1. Prepare the Dough
In a large mixing bowl, combine 2 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour and 1 packet (2 1/4 teaspoons) of active dry yeast. Warm 1 cup of whole milk until it’s just lukewarm (about 110°F or 45°C), and add it to the flour mixture. Crack in one egg and add 1/4 cup of melted butter. Mix everything together until a soft dough forms.
2. Knead the Dough
Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead it for about 5-7 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. If the dough is too sticky, add a little more flour, a tablespoon at a time, until it’s manageable.
3. Let the Dough
Rise Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for about an hour or until it has doubled in size.
4. Shape the Donuts
Once the dough has risen, roll it out on a floured surface to about 1/2-inch thickness. Using a donut cutter or two different-sized round cutters, cut out donut shapes and donut holes. Re-roll the scraps and cut out more donuts until all the dough is used.
5. Air Fry Donut
Lightly brush each donut with melted butter. Place the donuts in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure the donuts in the air fryer don’t touch or overlap. Air fry at 350°F for 5-6 minutes, flipping halfway through, until they are golden brown and cooked through.
6. Coat with Cinnamon-Sugar
While the donuts are air frying, mix 1/2 cup of granulated sugar with 1 tablespoon of ground cinnamon in a small bowl. Once the donuts are done, immediately toss them in the cinnamon-sugar mixture until fully coated.
7. Add Optional Toppings
If desired, dip the donuts in chocolate glaze, sprinkle with powdered sugar, or add any other toppings you like. Allow the donuts to cool slightly on a cooling rack before serving.
Easy Air Fryer Donuts Variations
Making donuts in air fryer not only offers a healthier alternative to deep-frying but also provides endless variations with creativity. Here are a few inspiring ideas to diversify your homemade donuts:
- Jam-Filled Donuts: Before air frying, use a piping bag to fill your donut holes with your favorite jam or jelly. Dust with powdered sugar after frying for a delightful treat.
- Maple Bacon Donuts: Top your glazed donuts with a drizzle of maple syrup and crispy bacon bits for a sweet and savory combination.
- Cinnamon Roll Donuts: Mix powdered sugar with cinnamon and a bit of cream cheese to create a cinnamon roll glaze. Drizzle it over your air-fried donuts for a cinnamon roll twist.
- Pumpkin Spice Donuts: Add pumpkin pie spice to your cinnamon-sugar coating or mix it into the dough before frying for a seasonal favorite.
- Apple Pie Donuts: Fill your donut holes with a spoonful of apple pie filling before frying. Once they are cooked, top with a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar.
Conclusion
Creating delicious air fryer donuts at home is straightforward and fun. By experimenting with the easy-to-learn instructions and different variations mentioned here, you can enjoy a variety of flavors and textures that cater to your preferences. Better still, air frying offers a convenient way to satisfy your donut cravings with less oil and mess. So, why not try out these recipes and elevate your homemade donut skills? Share your creations with friends and family and inspire others to join in on the air fryer donut trend.
